Catamenial device



sept. 12, 1933. E, C. HMS 1,926,900

CATAMENIAL DEVICE Filed Nov. 19, 1951 :Ez-fg 3 L v, am

/f f2/af C. /7245 Patented Sept. 12, v1933 Earle C.; Haas, Denver, Colo.

Application November 19, 1931v Serial No. 576,179

2 Claims.

This invention remi-.es to a entememn device as a single unit an absorbent pad for insertion in gitudinally therethrough with one end of the thread extending beyond the end of the body, is

initially highly compressed to form a compact core of suflicient compactness to retain its shape until moistened.

- Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention,l which is designed for simplicity, economy, and eiilciency.y

These will become morey apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description ofthe inventionreference is had to the accompanying drawing whichforms a part hereof. Like numer` als refer to like parts in all views of the drawing and throughout the description.

In the drawing:

Fig.` 1 illustrates the invention as it appears ready for use.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the device. A

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof illustrating the compressed absorbent pad `partly expelled.

Figure 4 is a detail view of the elongated body of absorbent material as it appears before being highly compressed to form a compact core for insertion in the applicator.

The padcomprises an elongated strip 10 of `absorbent cotton or similar material, as illustrated in Fig. 4, through the center of which a. seam 11 is sewed. It is preferred to sew the seam 11 with a chain stitch and to continue the stitch beyond one extremity of the strip to pro- .vide a chain stitched thread 12 which constitutes a withdrawing 'memben The elongated strip or body 10 is compressed under relatively high pressure to form a highlyv compressed cylindrical core 13, of sufficient compactness to retain its shape until moistened.

For marketing, the core 13 is placed in an outer tube 14 preferably of paper, cardboard, ber or similar relatively cheap soluble material, which serves as acontainer therefor. An inner tube 15 of similarmaterial is slid within one exm tremity of the outer tube 14 to hold the core 13 in place therein. The other extremity of the tube 14 is preferably formed with an inwardly rounded Y edge V16 to assist n maintaining the core 13 in place therein. The depending thread 12 extends 65 through the inner tube 15 as shown in Fig. 2.

In use, the tube 14 is inserted in the vagina, the

.rounded' edge 16 acting to facilitate the insertion.

The inner tube 15 is then pressed inwardly so as to expel the core 13. Both tubes are then removed, leaving the thread 12 projecting on the exterior. The moisture of the natural secretions will cause the core 13 to expand within the vagina. When it is desired to remove the pad it is only necessary to draw upon the thread 12.

The completely assembled tubes 14 and 15 with the core 13 in place are marketed as a unit. Each unit being preferably wrappedin tissue paper or cellophane and sterilized. It will be noted that the cores are not touched by the hand from the time of sterilization` until they are in place in the vagina. This insures their'antiseptic qualities. p

The outer tube 14 may be waxed or covered with an especially prepared smooth wrapping to facilitate its insertion, if desired.- It will be noted that the present invention completely eliminates the necessity for a separate applicator. Since the tubes are formed of cardboard, paper, or similar soluble in water absorbent material, they may be discarded into a toilet bowl where they will dissolve or soften so that they may be ushed away.

The longitudinal stitching of the cotton or. other absorbent material is very important. At- 95 tempts have been made to attach a tape or ribbon to a core of absorbent material but it was found that after the material expanded in the vagina it was exceedingly diicult to withdraw it owing to the restricted opening. With the longitudinal stitching, however, the expanded core straightens within the vagina when drawn t upon and is drawn forth in a straight continuous strip regardless of its degree of expansion.

While a specific form of the improvement'has 105 been described and illustratedv herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may-be varied within the scope of thel appended claims, without departing from the `spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention. what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A catamenial device comprising: a relatively long strip of absorbent material; and a thread 5 stitched throughout the length of said strip, said thread 'extending beyond one extremity o!` said strip to form a withdrawing member, said strip being highly compresed to form a relatively small,y self-sustaining core with said thread depending therefrom.

2. The method oi' forming a catamenial padA comprising: forming a relatively elongated strip of absorbent material, stitching a thread along the center of the striip for the entire length thereof and continuing the stitching beyond one end of the strip to provide a pull cord, and then highly compressing the strip to form a relatively small, tight core ot sufiicient compactness to retain its shape until moistened.

EARLE C. HAAS.

'fue 

